Pulp tray

ABSTRACT

A pulp tray includes a tray body, a first plate, and a second plate. The tray body has an accommodating space and a plurality of wedged concaves disposed around the accommodating space. One end of the first plate is connected to a first side of the bottom of the tray body, and the first plate has a first wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to the wedged concave. The other end of the first plate is installed with a first touching portion. One end of the second plate is connected to a second side of the bottom of the tray body, and the second plate has a second wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to the wedged concave. The other end of the second plate is installed with a second touching portion. The first and second wedged protrusions are wedged within the wedged concaves to fix an object in the accommodating space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a pulp tray and, in particular, to a pulp tray, which has a buffer function and is convenient for packaging.

2. Related Art

Accompanying with the progressions of technologies, electronic products, such as computers, computer periphery devices, and the likes, have become the essential equipments in our daily lives. Regarding to the high precision electronic devices, the external environment, such as water, dust and impact, may damage the fragile electronic devices. Thus, for transportation of the electronic devices, the manufacturers usually use the packaging structures to hold and protect them.

With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional pulp tray 1 has an accommodating space 10 for accommodating an object 40. In the prior art, additional buffer materials (not shown) must be filled in the pulp tray 1 for protecting the object 40 in transportation. The applicable buffer material is for example the pasteboard. This may prevent the object 40 from shaking and hitting the walls of the pulp tray 1, so that the object 40 can be protected. In addition, a buffer element 11 is necessary and is disposed over the pulp tray 1 for covering the object 40 so as to buffer the impact from the top. However, regarding to the environment protection issue, the conventional plastic buffer materials as well as the disposition methods thereof have been a big problem in many countries. Thus, the pasteboards are employed as the buffer materials in many countries, and the conventional plastic buffer materials are avoided. In addition, the pasteboards are made of recyclable materials, so the manufacturing cost and the harm of the ecological environment can be reduced.

Besides, the additional buffer element 11 is necessary, so that the additional packaging and folding procedure is required. In addition, the conventional pulp tray 1 and the buffer element 11 are separated objects, so the managing and stock costs are increased.

It is therefore an important subjective of the invention to provide a pulp tray, which has a buffer function and is convenient for packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the invention is to provide a pulp tray, which has buffer structure design and is convenient for packaging.

To achieve the above, a pulp tray of the invention includes a tray body, a first plate and a second plate. In the invention, the tray body has an accommodating space for accommodating the object and a plurality of wedged concaves disposed around the accommodating space. One end of the first plate connects to a first side of a bottom of the tray body, and another end of the first plate is installed with a first touching portion. The first plate has a first wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to one wedged concave. One end of the second plate connects to a second side of the bottom of the tray body, and another end of the second plate is installed with a second touching portion. The second plate has a second wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to another wedged concave. The object is positioned in the accommodating space, and the first and second wedged protrusions are wedged within the corresponding wedged concaves. Herein, the first touching portion and the first plate substantially form a first included angle, and the second touching portion and the second plate substantially form a second included angle. In addition, the first touching portion and the second touching portion are extended to the object.

As mentioned above, the pulp tray of the invention includes the first plate, the second plate, the first touching portion and the second touching portion to fix the object. The first touching portion and the second touching portion may further form a buffer structure for releasing the impact. In addition, the pulp tray of the invention is integrally formed, so that it can match the trend of environment protection, and have fewer material and lower cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the conventional pulp tray;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing an object and a pulp tray according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing the pulp tray according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, which carries/packages the object;

FIG. 2C is a sectional view showing the pulp tray as shown in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2D is a schematic view showing the pulp tray according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing a pulp tray according to another embodiment of the invention, which carries/packages an object;

FIG. 3B is a sectional view showing the pulp tray as shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a pulp tray according to still another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a pulp tray according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.

With reference to FIG. 2A, a pulp tray 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is for carrying an object 40 and includes a tray body 20, a first plate 21, a second plate 22, a third plate 23 and a fourth plate 24.

The bottom of the tray body 20 has a first side 201, a second side 202, a third side 203, and a fourth side 204. The tray body 20 includes an accommodating space 205 and a plurality of wedged concaves 206. As shown in FIG. 2A, the tray body 20 has a height h, the accommodating space 205 is for accommodating the object 40, and the wedged concaves 206 are disposed around the accommodating space 205. In this embodiment, the bottom of the tray body 20 is quadrangular, and the accommodating space 205 is a rectangular space. To be noted, the invention should not be limited in this, and the bottom of the tray body 20 and the accommodating space 205 can be in any shape matching with the shape of the object 40.

The first plate 21 has one end connecting to the first side 201 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a first touching portion 212. The first plate 21 firther has a first wedged protrusion 211 disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves 206. The first touching portion 212 and the first plate 21 form a first included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the first touching portion 212 and the first plate 21 present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d between the two ends of the first plate 21 is greater than the height h of the tray body 20. The first touching portion 212 has a first convex part 2121. When the first wedged protrusion 211 is wedged within the corresponding wedged concave 206, the first touching portion 212 extends to the top of the accommodating space 205.

The second plate 22 has one end connecting to the second side 202 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a second touching portion 222. The second plate 22 further has a second wedged protrusion 221 disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves 206. The second touching portion 222 and the second plate 22 form a second included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the second touching portion 222 and the second plate 22 present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d between the two ends of the second plate 22 is greater than the height h of the tray body 20. The second touching portion 222 has a second convex part 2221. When the second wedged protrusion 221 is wedged within the corresponding wedged concave 206, the second touching portion 222 extends to the top of the accommodating space 205.

The third plate 23 has one end connecting to the third side 203 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a third touching portion 232. The third plate 23 further has a third wedged protrusion 231 disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves 206. The third touching portion 232 and the third plate 23 form a third included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the third touching portion 232 and the third plate 23 present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d between the two ends of the third plate 23 is greater than the height h of the tray body 20. The third touching portion 232 has a third convex part 2321. When the third wedged protrusion 231 is wedged within the corresponding wedged concave 206, the third touching portion 232 extends to the top of the accommodating space 205.

The fourth plate 24 has one end connecting to the fourth side 204 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a fourth touching portion 242. The fourth plate 24 further has a fourth wedged protrusion 241 disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves 206. The fourth touching portion 242 and the fourth plate 24 form a fourth included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the fourth touching portion 242 and the fourth plate 24 present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d between the two ends of the fourth plate 24 is greater than the height h of the tray body 20. The fourth touching portion 242 has a fourth convex part 2421. When the fourth wedged protrusion 241 is wedged within the corresponding wedged concave 206, the fourth touching portion 242 extends to the top of the accommodating space 205. In this case, the first side 201, the second side 202, the third side 203 and the fourth side 204 are different edges of the bottom of the tray body 20, wherein the first side 201 and the second side 202 are opposite edges and the third side 203 and the fourth side 204 are opposite edges. To be noted, the scales of the first, second, third and fourth included angles can be changed according to the actual requirements for reaching the buffer effect.

In the present embodiment, the first plate 21, the second plate 22, the third plate 23 and the fourth plate 24 have equivalent distances d between two ends thereof, which have the same reference. The tray body 20, the first plate 21, the second plate 22, the third plate 23, and the fourth plate 24 are integrally formed and are made of pulp.

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, after putting the object 40 into the accommodating space 205, the first plate 21, the second plate 22, the third plate 23, and the fourth plate 24 are folded upwardly to make the first wedged protrusion 211, the second wedged protrusion 221, the third wedged protrusion 231 and the fourth wedged protrusion 241 to be inserted into the corresponding wedged concaves 206. In this structure, the first touching portion 212 is perpendicular to the first plate 21 and is extended to the top of the object 40, and the distance d between two ends of the first plate 21 is larger than the height h of the tray body 20. Thus, the first touching portion 212 is not directly in contact with the object 40, and the first convex part 2121 is actually in contact with the object 40 for fixing it. Herein, the first touching portion 212 and the first convex part 2121 can form a buffer structure.

As mentioned above, the first plate 21, the second plate 22, the third plate 23 and the fourth plate 24 are folded upwardly, and the first convex part 2121, the second convex part 2221, the third convex part 2321 and the fourth convex part 2421 are in contact with the object 40 for fixing it. Besides, the first touching portion 212, the second touching portion 222, the third touching portion 232, the fourth touching portion 242, the first convex part 2121, the second convex part 2221, the third convex part 2321 and the fourth convex part 2421 can form a buffer structure, which can efficiently release the impact.

Alternatively, the distance d of the two ends of each of the first plate 21, the second plate 22, the third plate 23 and the fourth plate 24 can be adjusted according to the height of the object 40. For example, if the height of the object 40 is smaller than the height h of the tray body 20, the distance d of the two ends of each of the first plate 21, the second plate 22, the third plate 23 and the fourth plate 24 may be equal to the height h of the tray body 20. Then, the first convex part 2121, the second convex part 2221, the third convex part 2321 and the fourth convex part 2421 are provided to contact the object 40. These elements can form a buffer structure for releasing the impact efficiently. Thus, no matter the height of the object 40 is greater than, equal to, or smaller than the height of the tray body 20, the pulp tray of the invention can efficiently fix the object 40 and provide a buffer structure to release the impact.

With reference to FIG. 2D, the pulp tray of the invention may have more wedged concaves 206, first wedged protrusions 211, second wedged protrusions 221, third wedged protrusions 231, and fourth wedged protrusions 241, so as to enhance the fixing effect.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a pulp tray 2′ according to another embodiment of the invention includes a tray body 20, a first plate 21′, a second plate 22′, a third plate 23′ and a fourth plate 24′. The first plate 21′ has one end connecting to a first side 201 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a first touching portion 212. The first plate 21′ further has a plurality of first wedged protrusions 211 disposed corresponding to the wedged concaves 206. The first touching portion 212 and the first plate 21′ form a first included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the first touching portion 212 and the first plate 21′ present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d′ between the two ends of the first plate 21′ is substantially equal to the height h of the tray body 20.

The second plate 22′ has one end connecting to the second side 202 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a second touching portion 222. The second plate 22′ further has a second wedged protrusion 221 disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves 206. The second touching portion 222 and the second plate 22′ form a second included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the second touching portion 222 and the second plate 22′ present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d′ between the two ends of the second plate 22′ is substantially equal to the height h of the tray body 20.

The third plate 23′ has one end connecting to the third side 203 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a third touching portion 232. The third plate 23′ further has a third wedged protrusion 231 disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves 206. The third touching portion 232 and the third plate 23′ form a third included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the third touching portion 232 and the third plate 23′ present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d′ between the two ends of the third plate 23′ is substantially equal to the height h of the tray body 20.

The fourth plate 24′ has one end connecting to the fourth side 204 of the tray body 20 and another end installed with a fourth touching portion 242. The fourth plate 24′ further has a fourth wedged protrusion 241 disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves 206. The fourth touching portion 242 and the fourth plate 24′ form a fourth included angle, which preferably is 90 degrees, so that the fourth touching portion 242 and the fourth plate 24′ present an L-shape. In addition, the distance d′ between the two ends of the fourth plate 24′ is substantially equal to the height h of the tray body 20.

As mentioned above, the distance d′ between two ends of each of the first plate 21′, the second plate 22′, the third plate 23′, and the fourth plate 24′ is substantially equal to the height h of the tray body 20. After putting the object 40 into the accommodating space 205 and the first plate 21′, the second plate 22′, the third plate 23′, and the fourth plate 24′ are folded upwardly to make the first wedged protrusion 211, the second wedged protrusion 221, the third wedged protrusion 231 and the fourth wedged protrusion 241 to be wedged with the corresponding wedged concaves 206. Thus, the first touching portion 212, the second touching portion 222, the third touching portion 232 and the fourth touching portion 242 are in contact with the top of the object 40 for fixing it and can form a buffer structure.

To be noted, the distance d′ of the two ends of each of the first plate 21′, the second plate 22′, the third plate 23′ and the fourth plate 24′ can be adjusted according to the height of the object 40. For example, if the height of the object 40 is greater than the height h of the tray body 20, the distance d′ of the two ends of each of the first plate 21′, the second plate 22′, the third plate 23′ and the fourth plate 24′ may be greater than the height h of the tray body 20. Then, the first touching portion 212, the second touching portion 222, the third touching portion 232 and the fourth touching portion 242 are in contact with the top of the object 40 for fixing it. Thus, no matter the height of the object 40 is greater than, equal to, or smaller than the height of the tray body 20, the pulp tray of the invention can efficiently fix the object 40 and provide a buffer structure to release the impact.

With reference to FIG. 4, a pulp tray according still another embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter, wherein the same references as shown in FIG. 2A relate to the same elements as shown in FIG. 4.

In the current embodiment, a pulp tray 3 according to still another embodiment of the invention includes a tray body 20, a first plate 21 and a second plate 22. After putting an object (not shown) in the accommodating space 205, the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 are folded upwardly to make the first wedged protrusion 211 and the second wedged protrusion 221 to be wedged into the corresponding wedged concaves 206. The first touching portion 212, the second touching portion 222, the first wedged protrusion 2121 and the second wedged protrusion 2221 are in contact with the object for fixing it and can form a buffer structure. In the present embodiment, the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 are disposed in opposite to one another, and, of course, they can be disposed in adjacent to one another (not shown).

With reference to FIG. 5, a pulp tray 4 according yet another embodiment of the invention includes a tray body 20 and a first plate 21. After putting an object (not shown) in the accommodating space 205, the first plate 21 is folded upwardly to make the first wedged protrusion 211 to be wedged into the corresponding wedged concave 206. The first touching portion 212 is in contact with the object for fixing it and can form a buffer structure.

In brief, the pulp tray of the invention includes at least one plate and the touching portion of the plate to fix/contact the object. The touching portion can form a buffer structure for releasing the impact. Thus, the pulp tray of the invention can achieve the objective of protecting the object to be carried. In addition, since the pulp tray of the invention is made of pulp, it can match the trend of environment protection and have lower cost.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A pulp tray for carrying an object, comprising: a tray body, which has an accommodating space for accommodating the object and a plurality of wedged concaves disposed around the accommodating space; a first plate, which has one end connecting to a first side of a bottom of the tray body, a first wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to one of the wedged concaves, and another end installed with a first touching portion; and a second plate, which has one end connecting to a second side of the bottom of the tray body, a second wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to another one of the wedged concaves, and another end installed with a second touching portion, wherein when the object is positioned in the accommodating space and the first wedged protrusion and the second wedged protrusion are wedged within the corresponding wedged concaves, the first touching portion and the first plate substantially form a first included angle, the second touching portion and the second plate substantially form a second included angle, and the first touching portion and the second touching portion are extended to the object.
 2. The pulp tray of claim 1, wherein a distance between the one end of the first plate and the another end of the first plate is greater than or equal to a height of the tray body, the first touching portion has a first convex part, and when the first touching portion extends to the object, the first convex part is against the object to fix the object.
 3. The pulp tray of claim 2, wherein a distance between the one end of the second plate and the another end of the second plate is greater than or equal to the height of the tray body, the second touching portion has a second convex part, and when the second touching portion extends to the object, the second convex part is against the object to fix the object.
 4. The pulp tray of claim 1, wherein a distance between the one end of the first plate and the another end of the first plate is greater than or equal to a height of the tray body, and a distance between the one end of the second plate and the another end of the second plate is greater than or equal to the height of the tray body.
 5. The pulp tray of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the tray body is quadrangular.
 6. The pulp tray of claim 5, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite edges of the bottom of the tray body.
 7. The pulp tray of claim 5, wherein the first side and the second side are adjacent edges of the bottom of the tray body.
 8. The pulp tray of claim 5, further comprising: a third plate, which has one end connecting to a third side of the bottom of the tray body, a third wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to another one of the wedged concaves, and another end installed with a third touching portion; and a fourth plate, which has one end connecting to a fourth side of the bottom of the tray body, a fourth wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to another one of the wedged concaves, and another end installed with a fourth touching portion, wherein when the object is positioned in the accommodating space and the third wedged protrusion and the fourth wedged protrusion are wedged within the corresponding wedged concaves, the third touching portion and the third plate substantially form a third included angle, the fourth touching portion and the fourth plate substantially form a fourth included angle, and the third touching portion and the fourth touching portion are extended to the object.
 9. The pulp tray of claim 8, wherein a distance between the one end of the third plate and the another end of the third plate is greater than or equal to a height of the tray body, the third touching portion has a third convex part, and when the third touching portion extends to the object, the third convex part is against the object to fix the object.
 10. The pulp tray of claim 9, wherein a distance between the one end of the fourth plate and the another end of the fourth plate is greater than or equal to the height of the tray body, the fourth touching portion has a fourth convex part, and when the fourth touching portion extends to the object, the fourth convex part is against the object to fix the object.
 11. The pulp tray of claim 8, wherein a distance between the one end of the third plate and the another end of the third plate is greater than or equal to a height of the tray body, and a distance between the one end of the fourth plate and the another end of the fourth plate is greater than or equal to the height of the tray body.
 12. The pulp tray of claim 8, wherein the tray body, the first plate, the second plate, the third plate, and the fourth plate are integrally formed.
 13. The pulp tray of claim 12, wherein the tray body, the first plate, the second plate, the third plate, and the fourth plate are made of pulp.
 14. The pulp tray of claim 8, wherein the first included angle, the second included angle, the third included angle and the fourth included angle are 90 degrees.
 15. A pulp tray for carrying an object, comprising: a tray body, which has an accommodating space for accommodating the object and at least one wedged concave disposed at the periphery of the accommodating space; and at least one plate, which has one end connecting to one side of a bottom of the tray body, a wedged protrusion disposed corresponding to the wedged concave, and another end installed with a touching portion, wherein when the wedged protrusion is wedged within the wedged concaves, the touching portion is substantially perpendicular to the plate and is extended to the object.
 16. The pulp tray of claim 15, wherein a distance between the one end of the plate and the another end of the plate is greater than or equal to a height of the tray body, the touching portion has a convex part, and when the touching portion extends to the object, the convex part is against the object to fix the object.
 17. The pulp tray of claim 15, wherein the tray body and the plate are integrally formed.
 18. The pulp tray of claim 17, wherein the tray body and the plate are made of pulp.
 19. The pulp tray of claim 15, wherein a distance between the one end of the plate and the another end of the plate is greater than or equal to a height of the tray body. 